Arsenbergbau-Schauhütte Pöllatal

Useful Information

Location:	Jausenstation Schoberblick im Pöllatal, Polla 1, 9863 Rennweg am Katschberg. Tauern motorway, Rennweg exit, B99 to Rennweg, turn right through Rennweg, Gries, Oberdorf to the Pöllatal hiking car park. On foot or by E-Tschu-Tschu train to the Jausenstation Schoberblick, 800 m, 15 min. It is possible to drive to the Jausenstation Schoberblick, but parking spaces are very limited. (47.044233, 13.541779)
Open:	MAY to OCT all day. [2025]
Fee:	free. [2025]
Classification:	Arsenic Mine
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Arsenbergbau-Schauhütte Pöllatal Museum für Volkskultur, Spittal an der Drau, Tel: +43-4762-2890. museum@spittal-drau.at Jausenstation Schoberblick im Pöllatal, Polla 1, 9863 Rennweg am Katschberg, Tel: +43-676-3384156.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Geology

Description

The Arsenbergbau-Schauhütte Pöllatal (Pöllatal Arsenic Mining Exhibition Hut) is a simple wooden hut that was built in 1973 by the Museum of Folk Culture in Spittal an der Drau in collaboration with the Carinthian Mountain Rescue Service. The initiator was Johann Pirker from Rennweg, who had been interested in local arsenic mining for decades. It is freely accessible and contains information boards and photos about arsenic mining in the Pöllatal valley. As it is open, it can be visited free of charge around the clock, but it is closed during the winter, presumably to prevent damage from the weather.

The mining of arsenic probably began in the 15th century and lasted for 290 years. At that time, arsenic was consumed as a stimulant, mixed into schnapps or horse feed. It was also sold, mainly to Italy, where it was either used for glass production or transported by ship all over the world.